These No-Bake Caramel Apple Bars are an easy and healthy recipe to make. It's the perfect plant-based no-bake dessert that gives you all the flavors of a caramel apple and can be prepared in about 15 minutes!{ Plant-Based | Raw | Vegan | Gluten-Free | Dairy-Free | Lectin-Free | Egg-Free | Flourless | Grain-Free | No-Bake | Paleo-Friendly | No Refined Sugar | Medical Medium® Compliant }
Prepare an 8 x 8 baking dish lined with parchment paper, then set aside.
Prepare the crust:
Add all the ingredients for the crust to a medium-size bowl and stir until well combined.
Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish, press it down firmly and evenly, then set aside.
Prepare the apple filling:
Add all the ingredients for the apple filling to a food processor and process/pulse until the apples and dates are broken down into tiny pieces, taking care not to over-process.
Transfer the mixture to the baking dish, spread it evenly on top of the crust, press it down firmly, then set aside.
Prepare the caramel topping:
Add all the ingredients for the caramel topping to a small mixing bowl and whisk or stir together until it's creamy and smooth.
Transfer the mixture to the baking dish and spread it evenly on top of the apple filling.
Assembly:
Place the baking dish in the refrigerator for 15-30 minutes for it to firm.
Store in an air-tight BPA-free container in the refrigerator until ready to serve because they will get soft if left out at room temperature.
Notes
Apples: I like to use red apples because they are sweeter than green apples, so any variety of red apples will work. You don't need to dice them because they will be added to a food processor, but cutting them into quartered pieces before adding them will help them process easier.Maple Syrup: Can be substituted with organic date syrup or organic coconut nectar.Coconut Oil: If you don't like the taste or flavor of coconut oil, you can use organic refined coconut oil which has zero coconut taste or flavor.Coconut Flour: You will need just a small amount to firm up the crust mixture.Vanilla Bean Powder: This can be substituted with organic vanilla extract or alcohol-free vanilla extract to keep the recipe 100% Medical Medium® compliant.Medjool Dates: Make sure they are pitted before adding them to your food processor and process them only long enough to break them down into tiny pieces.Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice will give you the best flavor and nutrients since it hasn't been pasteurized, but store-bought organic lemon juice can be substituted.Almond Butter: Almond butter will give the closest flavor to real caramel, but you could try to substitute it with another neutral-flavored nut butter such as cashew butter or sunflower seed butter. However, I can't guarantee the flavor with a substitution.Himalayan Pink Salt: This is my salt of preference, however, it can always be substituted with sea salt.Serving Size: This recipe will make approximately (9) squares. Nutritional information is for (1) square which is (1) serving.